Connecticut Among The Strictest States When It Comes To DUI Arrests

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- Drunk driving is estimated to result in about 10,000 deaths, one million arrests and $44 billion in economic damage each year, and Connecticut is one of the strictest states when it comes to addressing driving under the influence, according to a new study.

Connecticut has been named one of the strictest states when it comes to dealing with drunken driving.
Photo Credit: *Flickr user UCI-UC Irvine*

Casey Donahue

08/11/2017 11:00 a.m.

The personal finance website WalletHub compared penalties from all 50 states and the District of Columbia to compile a report of the Strictest and Most Lenient States on DUI. The study found that Connecticut is the seventh strictest state when it comes to dealing with DUI. Arizona was named the strictest, and South Dakota was named the most lenient.

WalletHub looked at 15 key metrics, ranging from fines and minimum jail time to ignition interlock device requirements. In addition to ranking seventh overall, Connecticut was seventh in terms of criminal penalties and eighth in terms of prevention.

Here's how Connecticut ranked on different aspects of its handling of DUI:

Minimum jail time for first offense: 9th
Minimum jail time for second offense: 2nd
How long old DUI factors into penalties: 6th
Administrative license suspension: 9th
Minimum fine for first offense: 5th
Minimum fine for second offense: 7th
Average insurance rate increase after DUI: 23rd

Click here to see the full report from WalletHub.

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